Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 30: A large number of people participated in a grand ‘Shri Jagannathji Rath Yatra’ taken out in the old city here today.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), organized this first ever “Shri Jaganath Rath Yatra” in the city of temples today.
Hundreds of devotees, dancing on the tune of song “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare” and rhythm of drum beats, attracted everyone’s sight. A large number of women and children also accompanied the yatra.
The “Rath Yatra” commenced from City Palace, Kachi Chawni, and it passed through Parade Ground, Shalamar, Kanak Mandi, Rajinder Bazaar, Shaheedi Chowk, Raghunath Mandir, Indra Chowk, Gumat, Vinayak Bazaar, Dogra Chowk, Jewel, Canal Head, Guest House, Gole Pulli, Bohri and culminated at KK Resort, Udheywala Bohri.
Hundreds of people from the roof top of their houses and on the road were seen waiting to have the glimpse of tableaux of Lord Jaganathji, his brother Baldev and sister Subhadra, moving on a beautifully decorated chariot.
Chairman, J&K Legislative Council, Amrit Malhotra, was the Chief Guest while Madan Lal Sharma and Choudhary Lal Singh, both Members of Parliament, were the Guests of Honour.
The Rath Yatra festival of chariots originates in Puri, Orrisa and it is the oldest known festival and has been celebrated for over thousands of years.
The founder Acharya of ISKCON, C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, introduced the ‘Rath Yatra’ festival through out the world.
Among others present were Vikram Malhotra, president Rath Yatra Committee, Jai Keshav Dass, organizing president, SC Bali, president Reception Committee, HG Sarvbhaum Bhattacharya Dass, General Manager, ISKCON Jammu, Surinder Peshin and Sanjeev, festival coordinators and Rohit Bali, general secretary.
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